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Argentine footballer Lionel Messi takes a shot at the goal during a football match in Kolkata on September 2, 2011. Argentina's football team, lead by the newly elected captain Lionel Messi, beat Venezuela 1-0 in the first ever FIFA Friendly International Match on the Indian subcontinent. (Image credit: AFP/Getty Images via @daylife)

Barcelona über star Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge, appeared in court this week, as expected, to answer to charges of tax fraud. Although it has been widely reported that Messi has cleared his tax debt, the hearing focused on whether the criminal charges would be pursued further.

At the hearing, Messi and his father were questioned separately in a closed-court session. Both men reportedly denied the allegations and made it clear that they were anxious to resolve the matter. A spokesman for the prosecution told the BBC that no agreement had been reached.

The sports phenom, who hails originally from Argentina, made his debut on the world football stage in Barcelona in 2000 at the age of 13. Spanish taxing authorities allege that, in 2005, Messi’s father, Jorge, who is also charged in the case, initiated a scheme using a series of shell companies in tax havens to shield royalties and other licensing income from Spanish income tax. The tax havens, said to be located in Belize and Uruguay, were the ultimate destination for the funds which were allegedly funneled through an elaborate maze including the U.K. and Switzerland.

Messi’s fortunes have landed him at #10 on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest paid athletes with an estimated $41.3 million in earnings. More than half of his earnings were attributable to endorsements. Messi has endorsements and licensing agreements with a number of companies, including Adidas, EA Sports, Proctor and Gamble, Pepsi Cola and Dolce & Gabana

Messi and his father have always denied wrongdoing. Shortly after the charges were made public, Messi claimed that he had no idea that they were coming, telling his fans on his Facebook page:

In addition to issuing a denial, the message reads, in part, "We have always taken care of all our tax obligations on the advice of our tax advisors."

Adding injury to insult (yes, it's usually the other way around), Messi was injured earlier today as Barcelona beat Almeria 2-0 for a club-record seventh straight La Liga win. Messi scored in the opening minutes of the game before asking to be pulled, complaining that he had hurt his thigh. After the game, teammate Adriano Correia, who scored the second goal of the match said, about the injury: "I hope it's nothing and he can be with us for the upcoming games because he's an important player. The team is completely different with him."

That sentiment probably extends to concerns about Messi's legal issues. Messi has been charged under Article 305 of the Spanish Criminal Code. If convicted, Messi could face a fine of up to €24 million ($31,274,400 US) and more importantly, up to five years in prison. That would be crushing for the four time FIFA Player of the Year, widely thought to be at the top of his game and considered by many to be the best player in the world.